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The tragic final days leading up to the death of The Addams Family's Raul Julia at age 54

Raul Julia is best known for his unforgettable role as Gomez Addams in the film adaptations of The Addams Family. The role was iconic but it belies the extent of his acting career, which spanned theatre and cinema. Given his contribution to the arts, millions of people were shocked by the news of his untimely death in 1994.

Raul had stomach cancer for three years prior and had undergone surgery for his condition.

In 1994 he reportedly ate sushi while filming in Mexico.

It gave him food poisoning for which he was taken to a hospital in Los Angeles to treat.

After recovering he returned to Mexico to film but was noticeably weaker and thinner.

In October that year he was taken to hospital again after feeling intense abdominal pain, but insisted on working from his hospital bed.

He then had a stroke, fell into a coma and was put on life support.

Sadly he died four days later on October 24, 1994.

The New York Times reported at the time that Alice Siegel, a hospital spokeswoman, said the cause was complications of a stroke. 

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.

Strokes are a medical emergency and urgent treatment is essential.

There are two main types of stroke: ischaemic strokes and haemorrhagic strokes. They affect the brain in different ways and can have different causes.

According to the NHS, ischaemic strokes are the most common type of stroke.

They happen when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.

"Haemorrhagic strokes (also known as cerebral haemorrhages or intracranial haemorrhages) are less common than ischaemic strokes," explains the NHS.

They happen when a blood vessel inside the skull bursts and bleeds into and around the brain.